Electrical connector

ABSTRACT

An electrical connector structure adapted for quick connection while yet maintaining the impedance characteristics of a transmission means, such as a transmission line. The connector may be arranged for use with coaxial electrical coupling elements permitting a plurality of simultaneous connections to be made as between components of an apparatus. The connector structure includes a tubular member providing releasable retained association of the electrical coupling elements for facilitated connection and disconnection.

United States Patent [1 1 3,639,889 Komadina Feb. 1, 1972 [54]ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [72] Inventor:George Komadina, 1428 Clark, De Kalb, 627,880 1 1/1961 Italy ..339/75 R[22] Filed: Aug. 8, 1969 Primary Examiner-Maryin A. Champion AssistantExammerLawrence J. Staab [21] ppl. NW Attorney-l-lofgren, Wegner, Allen,Stellman & McCord 52 vs. Cl. ..339/75 R, 339/177 E [571 ABSTRACT [511 ECl 13/54 17/ 06 An electrical connector structure adapted for quickconnec- [58] Field of Search ..339/89 C, 177, 143, 258 A, on while yetmaintaining the impedance characteristics of a 339/60 90 91 94 126 75 7589 C transmission means, such as a transmission line. The connector maybe arranged for use with coaxial electrical coupling [56] Referencescued elements permitting a plurality of simultaneous connections toUNITED STATES PATENTS be made as between components of an apparatus Theconnector structure includes a tubular member providing releasa- Wilsonble retained association of the electrical oupling elements for2,764,746 9/ 1956 Tefllnde -m339/3 facilitated connection anddisconnection. 2,892,987 6/1959 Cedrone ..333/98 3,025,492 3/ 1962 Dupre..339/ 177 R 5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates toelectrical connector structures and in particular to constant impedanceconnector structures.

2. Description of the Prior Art Electrical connectors are well known forproviding electrical and/or mechanical connections between elements suchas cables and components of apparatus. Such connectors include plugs,jacks, receptacles, etc. Where relatively high frequencies are to beconducted, special provisions are made to maintain desired impedance andpreclude noise, leaks, shorts, etc., in the connections. Suchhigh-frequency connectors are utilized illustratively in connection withmicrophones, chassis, cables, etc. In the conventional high-frequencyconnectors means are provided for maintaining the impedancecharacteristics of the elements being connected. Thus, such connectorsmay be referred to as constant impedance connectors. Illustratively,such a connector may be utilized to connect two portions of a 50 ohmcoaxial cable without affecting the impedance characteristics thereof.

The known connectors providing such constant impedance characteristicsare provided with threaded means for effecting the desired mechanicaljunction between the elements being connected. Such mechanicalconnecting means have been found to provide a serious limitation in theusefulness of such connectors in that it is difficult at times toprovide sufficient space to permit facilitated connection anddisconnection. Further, a substantial amount of time isnecessary toeffect such mechanical connections and, where a large number of suchconnections are to be made, this presents a serious cost and timeproblem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends an improvedelectrical connector structure wherein a constant impedance-typeelectrical connection is provided in combination with mechanicaljunction means affording a quick-connect type of connection. In thepresent invention, a tubular element is provided .on one of theelectrical coupling elements and includes friction retaining means forreleasably retaining in mechanically held association the other of theelectrical coupling elements. The electrical coupling elements maycomprise coaxial coupling elements and the tubular member definespositive push ontype quick-connect mechanical securing means with thecoupling elements disposed coaxially within the tubular member.

The tubular member is extremely simple and economical of constructionwhile yet providing in the electrical connector structure the highlydesirable quick-connect functioning discussed above. The tubular membermay be provided with spring fingers for effecting the desired releasableholding action.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing wherein: I

FIG. 1 is an exploded side elevation of a connector embodying theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of one of the coupling elements thereof;

FIG. 3 is an exploded side elevation of another form of connectorembodying the invention; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded side elevation of still another form of connectorembodying the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment ofthe invention as disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, a connectorgenerally designated is shown to comprise a first electrical couplingelement 11, a second electrical coupling element 12, and a tubularretaining member 13.

The first coupling element 11 is provided with a coaxially annularlygrooved cylindrical base portion 14 adapted to receive a first endportion 15 of the tubular member 13. The second coupling element 12 isprovided with a tubular pro jection 16 adapted to receive in frictionalengagement the opposite end 17 of the tubular member 13 defined by aplurality of spring fingers 18. The tubular member end 15 is fixedlysecured to the base 14 as by being press fitted thereto. Couplingelement 11 is provided with a conventional electrical connecting means,such as male coaxial connector portion 19, and second coupling element12 may be provided with a complementary female coaxial connector portion20.

In making an electrical connection, the male-coupling element 11 may bebrought to the female-coupling element 12 so as to electrically connectthe coaxial elements 19 and 20. The spring fingers l8 frictionallyengage the outer surface of the tubular projection 16 to releasably lockthe coupling elements in electrical connected association. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the female coupling element 12 may comprise a panelmounted element having a plate portion 21 provided with suitableopenings as for extension of screws or rivets therethrough to secure theplate to a mounting panel (not shownyas desired. In illustrating theconnector 10, the male coupling element 11 is shown as a right-angleadapter arranged to have quick connection with the chassis-type couplingelement 12.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the invention is illustrated in connection withcoupling elements of modified form. Thus, the female-coupling element112 may comprise a locknut-type receptacle and the male-coupling element111 may comprise a conventional straight plug.

As shown in FIG. 4, the male-coupling element 211 may comprise aconventional cable plug and the female-coupling element2l2 may comprisea conventional female cable plug. As will be obvious to those skilled inthe art, other forms of connector elements may be employed utilizing thequick-connect means of tubular member 13, base 14 and tubular projection16 within the scope of the invention. Further, as will be obvious tothose skilled in the art, not only coaxial connections may be utilized,but all conventional forms of electrical coupling means may be utilizedto provide the desired quickconnect type of constant impedanceconnection. The tubular member 13 may formed of a suitable material suchas spring bronze. I 7

While the invention has been illustrated in connection with a tubularmember fixedly secured to the male element, as will be further obviousto those skilled in the art, the tubular member-lmay be reverselyfixedly secured to the female element for releasable engagement with themale element as desired, Thus, the invention comprehends broadly theprovision of such an electrical connector structure wherein a slipon-type :quick-connect connection is made in conjunction with a constantimpedance-type electrical coupling to provide facilitated connectionbetween portions of electrical apparatus of all types.

As the retaining member 13 may engage the tubular pro jection 16 in anyangular position about the axis of the tubular projection, theelectrical connection is facilitated. Thus, for example, where the firstcoupling element comprises an elbow-type element, such as element 11 ofFIG. 1, the distal portion may extend in any desired direction radiallyfrom the axis of the connecting portion 19. Where the first couplingelement comprises a rectilinear element, the ability to make theconnection with the first coupling element disposed in any angularposition about the axis of the coupling permits the coupling to be madewithout twisting the cables, etc., to which the coupling elements areconnected.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of thebroad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

lclaim:

1. An electrical connector structure comprising:

a first electrical coupling element having a base portion;

a second electrical coupling element having a tubular projection;

a retainer member having first and second opposite ends;

first frictional engagement means for developing frictional 5 forces tofixedly secure said first end of the retainer member to the baseportion; and

second frictional engagement means for developing frictional forces lessthan the frictional forces developed by said first frictional engagementmeans to releasably 1O secure said second end of the retaining member tothe tubular projection upon engagement of the coupling elements toreleasably maintain said elements in electrically connected association.

2. The electrical connector structure of claim 1 wherein said firstfrictional engagement means includes a shoulder means carried by saidbase portion for mechanically interlocking the first end of the retainermember therewith.

3. The electrical connector structure of claim 1 wherein said baseportion of the first electrical coupling element is cylindrical and hasa radially outwardly opening coaxial groove, said first end of theretainer member overlying said groove.

4. The electrical connector structure of claim 1 wherein said first endof the retainer member is press fitted onto said base portion of thefirst electrical coupling element.

5. The electrical connector structure of claim 1 wherein said retainermember first end is annular and said second opposite end comprises aplurality ofspring fingers.

1. An electrical connector structure comprising: a first electrical coupling element having a base portion; a second electrical coupling element having a tubular projection; a retainer member having first and second opposite ends; first frictional engagement means for developing frictional forces to fixedly secure said first end of the retainer member to the base portion; and second frictional engagement means for developing frictional forces less than the frictional forces developed by said first frictional engagement means to releasably secure said second end of the retaining member to the tubular projection upon engagement of the coupling elements to releasably maintain said elements in electrically connected association.
 2. The electrical connector structure of claim 1 wherein said first frictional engagement means includes a shoulder means carried by said base portion for mechanically interlocking the first end of the retainer member therewith.
 3. The electrical connector structure of claim 1 wherein said base portion of the first electrical coupling element is cylindrical and has a radially outwardly opening coaxial groove, said first end of the retainer member overlying said groove.
 4. The electrical connector structure of claim 1 wherein said first end of the retainer member is press fitted onto said base portion of the first electrical coupling element.
 5. The electrical connector structure of claim 1 wherein said retainer member first end is annular and said second opposite end comprises a plurality of spring fingers. 